6 of the best gaming consoles

Gaming is a huge industry worth billions of dollars. Sony, Xbox and Nintendo have been at the forefront of this industry for years and are competing to get a bigger share of the market. They release a new console every couple of years and they are constantly improving. New games are released all the time and some exclusive to certain consoles. Online is another big part of a console and Xbox seem to be doing better than the rest in this field. When it comes to deciding console we have gone with what we have always had either a Playstation or Xbox but things are changing and with better consoles coming out more people are checking out the alternatives.

6] Oculus Rift

The Oculus Rift is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. Whether you’re stepping into your favourite game, watching an immersive VR (virtual reality) movie, jumping to a destination on the other side of the world, or just spending time with friends in VR, you’ll feel like you’re really there. This headset is the next big thing in gaming and for virtual reality and works with a sensor, a remote, an Xbox controller but Oculus are making their own controllers that will allow your hands to be in the experience so you can pick objects up and throw them and this is what they are working hard on with Facebook to push out this year. Oculus Rift only works with Microsoft windows and have been working hard with Microsoft to perfect the experience. Rift uses state of the art displays and optics designed specifically for VR. Its high refresh rate and low-persistence display work together with its custom optics system to provide incredible visual fidelity and an immersive, wide field of view. Its advanced display technology combined with its precise, low-latency constellation tracking system enables the sensation of presence – the feeling as though you’re actually there. The magic of presence changes everything. You’ve never experienced immersion like this. This is the next big thing in technology and one that will have creators creating content for VR, so if you guys love tech and want to stay up to date with the best then Oculus Rift is for you.

Bigger screens mean bigger fun with Nintendo 3DS XL. It is 90% larger than Nintendo 3DS with an even more immersive gaming experience. With a wealth of 3D games and video content to discover, plus three cameras to capture stunning 3D images, the fun never stops with Nintendo 3DS XL.

Thanks to the 3D Camera, you can capture memories in a truly unique way. You can even record up to 10 minutes of 3D footage with the included memory card. The Nintendo 3DS XL also comes with an extended battery life, so you can enjoy up to six and a half hours of gaming on the go.

With a 4GB SD Card, you’ll have loads of space to save your downloads from Nintendo eShop. On top of software purchases you can also view trailers and see software rankings, so you can make your Nintendo 3DS as individual as you are.

A host of exciting features, as well as the ability to play all your favourite Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DS titles, make Nintendo 3DS XL much more than a games console. StreetPass lets you swap your game data with other users as you pass them. And thanks to SpotPass, you can receive new game content, videos, trailers and news automatically, and play online with others over Wi-Fi.

With its smooth clamshell design, housing two huge screens full of fun, Nintendo 3DS is perfect for players of all ages. And thanks to Parental Controls, you can easily restrict content by the game’s rating, regulate the use of wireless connectivity, such as the internet, or turn off the 3D settings.

The bottom touchscreen measures 4.18 inches, and the top 3D screen measures 4.88 inches. A few ports and buttons were relocated to make room for new buttons. The game card slot and the power button were both moved to the front edge, making them less susceptible to accidental bumps. Three new buttons were added: two secondary trigger keys, labeled ZL and ZR, which are located next to their respective primary triggers, and an analog C stick for enhanced control for in-game cameras, which is located just above the A/B/X/Y buttons. Lastly, the circle joystick pad is slightly larger and noticeably more comfortable for adult gamers.

StreetPass – exhanges game data with system owners you pass on the street

Parental Controls – manage content accessed by children

Optional 3d viewing with parental lock features and increased processing power for faster downloads.

In-built nfc for amiibo compatibility.

Stylus.

Built-in SD slot.

Built-in web browser.

Weight 459g.

Size H5, W13, D18cm.

For ages 7 years and over

(from amazon)

4] PS Vita Slim

I have always been a fan of handheld playstation devices and this new PS Vita Slim is great. PlayStation Vita puts the world of console-quality gaming and entertainment into the palm of your hand. With a stunning 5-inch LCD touchscreen, front and rear touch controls and dual analogue sticks, the PS Vita gives you a truly brilliant gaming experience that packs power and punch wherever you are.

There are a whole host of games that make full use of the handheld console’s features and bring a whole new dimension to gameplay. The PS Vita’s front and rear cameras can put your world into the game via augmented reality; microphone, front and rear controls and motion sensors give you new levels of control and dual analogue sticks provide you with that classic console feel.

You can enjoy up to 6 hours of uninterrupted gameplay at a time. There is 1GB of inbuilt memory for game saves and content and a PS Vita Memory Card slot for additional memory. To experience added value select from a range of Mega Packs, combining an additional memory card and multiple games for more hours of enjoyment.

The PS Vita has an incredible catalogue of the best game titles, from AAA releases to the best indie games, and with Remote Play, you can pick up where you left off on your PS4 game and continue on your PS Vita.

The PS Vita is Wi-Fi enabled for taking on the world on your favourite games, and also access to your social media so you boast about all your latest victories. Being connected to the web also allows you instant access to a world of content and the most popular apps. From renting or purchasing the latest games, TV, box-sets, and films, to connecting to the world via Skype, Facebook and YouTube.

The PlayStation Plus service takes your gaming experience on the PS Vita to whole new heights. Members have access to an instant game collection of two games a month which you can download direct to your device and a range of exclusive discounts in the PlayStation Store.

Play lighter
The new PS Vita has a more rounded shape and is 20% thinner and 15% lighter than the previous model.

Play instantly
Get straight into the action with 1GB of built-in memory – Additional memory may be required for some titles.

Play with PS4
Enjoy your PS4 games on PS Vita with Remote Play – stay connected to your PS4 via Wi-Fi, wherever you are.

Play the PS Vita way
The new model retains all the innovative, unique PS Vita features you know and love, including dual analog sticks, front and rear touch, front and rear cameras, microphone and motion sensors.

3] Nintendo Switch

It was expected of Nintendo to release a games console to compete with the other dominant competitors and they finally revealed their new games console the Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo Switch is like a tablet device which appears to contain all the hardware, and has a docking station which then plugs into your TV – this is how it switches from being a traditional home console to handheld.

“In addition to providing single and multiplayer thrills at home, the Nintendo Switch system also enables gamers to play the same title wherever, whenever and with whomever they choose. The mobility of a handheld is now added to the power of a home gaming system to enable unprecedented new video game play styles,” said Nintendo

The screen is a 6.2-inch touchscreen, not yet capable of full HD resolutions. The 720p display is beautiful, it is big, bright and capable of stunning contrast and colours but text can sometimes appear a little on the small side. At 295g the Switch is pretty light, while its battery life is between three and six hours depending on what game you’re playing.

Nintendo love making weird controllers. The Joy-Cons are the two controllers with several motion sensors built in that you get in the box with the Switch and they usually sit on either side of the Switch’s screen. It is a control stick with six buttons sitting on top of each pad, while two trigger buttons sit on top. If you detach them from the main Switch there are also two more buttons placed on their side. If you use the tablet the controls go either side but if you want to play with another you have once controller each. This is a cool device that doubles up as a tablet that you can take out an about to share with friends or just keep it as a home console. The switch is said to have a battery life of up to 6 hours. It has 32GB memory but you can add more with a micro SD card.

Try three different gameplay modes
Discover the various modes of the Nintendo Switch console, comprising of classic TV mode, tabletop mode and handheld mode. TV mode is activated by resting the Switch in a connected docking station, whilst the Joy-Con controllers connect wirelessly for multiplayer and solo gameplay. For single player gaming, they also be slipped into a Joy-Con grip accessory to mirror a more traditional controller.

To enjoy tabletop mode, the screen features a built-in stand that enables it to be propped up easily. The Joy-Con controllers can then be detached for co-operative or solo gaming. Finally, handheld mode combines the three main components, with the two Joy-Con controllers secured on either side of the tablet screen, creating a compact handheld console that you can take wherever you go.

Enjoy hours of gaming and versatile charging
The Nintendo Switch has the most versatile charging features of all Nintendo consoles so far. The main tablet screen comes with its own dock, which connects to a television and simultaneously charges the Switch console. When taken out as a fully charged portable console, it offers between 2.5 and 6.5 hours of battery life. If the battery should run out after that time, the Switch also features a USB type-C port, a common charge cable that allows easy connection to mains power or portable battery packs.

Get lost in exciting new gaming titles
This Nintendo Switch pack doesn’t come with games included, but you can look forward to discovering a variety of exciting new titles to enjoy with the console, including the latest instalment of a classic Nintendo series, titled The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. A deluxe edition of Mario Kart 8 will be available for the Nintendo Switch, as well as the exclusive platform game Super Mario Odyssey.

2] Xbox One S

The Xbox is one of the greatest consoles ever built and this new Xbox One S is the latest model. It is 40% smaller is size, features 4K Blu-ray, 4K video streaming and High Dynamic Range which offers more luminous colours in games and video.

Xbox Live is one of the most advanced multiplayer networks that claims to have the best community of gamers around the world. It has dedicated servers maximising performance, speed, and reliability. Compete, connect, and share with people across Xbox One and Windows 10.

The Xbox wireless gaming controller just got better with over 40 technology innovations. New Impulse Triggers deliver precise fingertip feedback for more realistic experiences. It also features textured grip and Bluetooth technology. One thing it does not have is wireless charging and you still need those AA batteries to get going. One reason why Xbox is a little more off-putting compares to PS4. With all the biggest blockbusters this year, and over 100 console exclusives, there’s never been a better time to game with Xbox One.

You can choose a console with 500GB, 1TB or 2TB of storage. With 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray playback and the ability to stream 4K Ultra HD content from online media services like Netflix, you can easily enjoy high-definition movies. However, it doesn’t yet support 4K gaming. Every game for the Xbox One platform has been designed in high definition – mostly 1080p. To display these games on a 4K screen, they’ll be upscaled to that resolution – and that process involves adding extra pixels where they’re not provided by game makers. Essentially, the device doing the upscaling – in this case the Xbox One S – is guessing what it thinks the missing pixels are supposed to be displaying. If you plug an original Xbox One into a 4K TV the same upscaling will take place as well, but it will be the telly doing it rather than the console, and the results are less impressive. Microsoft has the console using the HDR 10 standard, and most newer TVs do support that.

Its 1.75GHz eight-core AMD custom CPU beat those of the PlayStation 4 and 4 Slim, but fall behind the 2.1GHz eight-core AMD custom Jaguar CPU of the 4 Pro. The Xbox One S includes 8GB of DDR3 RAM, compared to the PS4 Pro or Scorpio’s GDDR5 memory.

1] Playstation 4 or PS4 pro

Picking the right video game console may seem like a daunting task, one that’s harder than it really should be.

The new Playstation 4 Pro (PS4 Pro) is the latest console to be released from Sony. It is a step up from the playstation 4 and comes with some improved features. It has intensely vibrant gameplay, stunningly sharp movies and incredible detail in every moment. PS4 Pro packs in leading-edge technology to deliver the fastest, sharpest, most responsive gaming experiences ever seen. Games explode into life with intense graphics and incredibly lifelike details thanks to increased power under the hood. Action becomes faster, smoother and more explosive with crystal-clear movement from faster and more stable frame rates. With a 4K TV, PS4 games deliver unprecedented visual precision, such as 4K quality resolution to give remarkable clarity down to the tiniest detail. Alongside stunningly vibrant HDR colours, your adventures will burst into life with unbelievable vibrancy.

PS4 Pro is a high-end version of PS4 that is capable of outputting 4K graphics, HDR support, smoother and more stable frame rates and 4K video streaming. Upon its launch, PS4 Pro will make supported PS4 games look better and run more smoothly, while giving developers an upgraded toolset to create even richer, more detailed game worlds. How these powerful new tools are used is up to individual developers and the experience they are creating.It’s important to note that PS4 Pro is not another generation of console. It won’t make your current PS4 games obsolete, and it won’t split the PS4 player base. PS4 Pro is very much a part of the PS4 family. There will not be any PS4 Pro-exclusive games because PS4 Pro and the standard PS4 are members of the same family, both systems will be fully compatible with all past, present, and future PS4 titles, including PlayStation VR. All PS4 games are PS4 Pro games, and vice-versa.

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